Advances in Health Sciences Research (AHSR), volume 14
1st International Conference on Inter-Professional Health Collaboration (ICIHC 2018)
Lower Uric Acid Levels in Subjects
Consuming Coffee compared to Not
Consuming Coffee
Raden Sunita
Jurusan Teknologi Laboratorium Medis Jurusan Teknologi Laboratorium Medis
Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian
Kesehatan Bengkulu
Bengkulu, Indonesia
radensunita19@gmail.com
Abstract—Uric acid as the nitrogen compounds
produced from catabolism purine from both diet
and endogenous nucleic acids (DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid). One of the factors that can
increase uric acid levels is the factor of excessive
purine intake. The habit of consuming coffee can
reduce levels of uric acid because the content of
polyphenol compounds in coffee such as chlorogenic
acid can inhibit the activity of the enzyme xanthine
oxidase, thereby reducing levels of uric acid. The
purpose of study was to determine differences in
uric acid levels between subjects who consumed
coffee and did not consume coffee in the Eastern
Puskesmas area in 2018. This study included an
analytical study with research design cross-sectional.
The number of study subjects was 46 subjects aged
45-54 years. Spectrophotometer Rayto measured the
level of uric acid in the blood, data on the history of
gout and consumption habits were obtained using an
observation sheet. Data analysis used test Mann-
Whitney. There were differences in uric acid levels
between subjects who consumed coffee and did not
consume coffee in the East Rim Health Center area
in 2018, the uric acid level of subjects who consumed
coffee was lower than subjects who did not consume
coffee (CI 95% 6.20, 7.80 ; p =0.001). Uric acid levels
of subjects who consume coffee are lower than
subjects who do not consume coffee, and coffee can
be used as a non-pharmacological alternative
treatment and prevention of Gout.
Keywords: Uric acid levels, coffee, coffee consumption
I. INTRODUCTION
Uric acid is the final product of purine
metabolism that comes from metabolism in the
body or factors endogenous (genetic) and comes
from outside the body or factors exogenous (food
sources). Every living thing produces uric acid as a
result of cell metabolic processes that function to
maintain survival. Uric acid is excreted in the
kidneys (70%) and gastrointestinal tract (30%). The
level of uric acid in the blood depends on the
balance of production and excretion. Purine
turnover occurs continuously along with the
synthesis and decomposition of RNA and DNA so
Copyright © 2019, the Authors. Published by Atlantis Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).
Yose Anggraeni Krisyanella
Jurusan Teknologi Laboratorium Medis
Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian
Kesehatan Bengkulu Kesehatan Bengkulu
Bengkulu, Indonesia Bengkulu, Indonesia
yosedwianggraini@gmail.com ellaunand@gmail.com
that although there is no purine intake, uric acid is
still formed in substantial amounts. Excessive
increase in uric acid is also caused by the excess
formation of uric acid in the body or obstruction of
uric acid removal by the body. Increased levels of
uric acid in the blood are called hyperuricemia [1].
Hyperuricemia is caused by two things,
because of the formation of excessive uric acid or
due to a decrease in uric acid secretion. The
kidneys work to regulate the stability of uric acid
levels in the body where some of the remaining
uric acids are removed through urine. Excessive
uric acid and the kidney is no longer able to
regulate its stability so that uric acid will
accumulate in the tissues and joints. High uric acid
levels will cause severe pain, especially in the joint
area. Hyperuricemia that is not treated causes
excessive uric acid in the blood, causing a buildup
of uric acid crystals. Uric acid crystals will damage
the coronary endothelium (inner lining of blood
vessels). If the crystal is in the joint fluid, it will
cause Gout [2].
The prevalence of joint disease based on a
diagnosis of health workers in Indonesia is 11.9%
and based on diagnosis or symptoms 24.7%. The
prevalence based on the diagnosis of health
workers was highest in Bali (19.3%), followed by
Aceh (18.3%), West Java (17.5%), and Papua
(15.4%). The prevalence of joint disease based on
the diagnosis of health workers or symptoms was
highest in East Nusa Tenggara (33.1%), followed
by West Java (32.1%), and Bali (30%). Based on
data from the Bengkulu City Health Office, the
number of arthritis in the city of Bengkulu is quite
high and is included in the ten diseases that suffer
most from the people of Bengkulu City [3].
Gout disease as a disease of purine metabolic
disorders characterized by hyperuricemia and
repeated attacks of acute synovitis. The incidence
of Gout is 1-2%, especially in the age of 40 years
and 20 times more often in men than in women.
Gout is indeed many men who are caused by age,
diet, decreased kidney function, and other health
problems, but after 50 years of age, women are also
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at high risk of developing Gout due to reduced (6) Serum piped 20 µL into cuvette 3 (sample); (7)
estrogen, so uric acid is difficult to pass through The cuvettes are homogenized respectively; (8)
urination. This disorder is related to the Incubated at room temperature (37oC) for 5
accumulation of monosodium monohydrate urate minutes; (9) Read on a 500 nm spectrophotometer
crystals and at a later stage joint cartilage and all used devices are cleaned.
degeneration. The limit of serum uric acid
saturation in men is 7.0 mg / dL and in women 5.7 III. RESULTS
mg/dL. According to previous research, increasing
uric acid levels in the blood are often related to Table I. shows the frequency distribution of uric
geographical location, cultural patterns of local acid levels of people who consume coffee and do
people, both those living in coastal areas and not consume coffee. The number of respondents in
highland areas, have high protein and fat eating this study was 46 subjects with arthritis in the East
habits, and habits of consuming alcoholic Rim City Health Center area of Bengkulu.
beverages [4].
TABLE I. DISTRIBUTION OF FREQUENCY OF URIC
ACID LEVELS BASED ON GENDER
CHARACTERISTICS
II. METHODS
V AU levels AU levels not
This study uses study design cross-sectional - Coffee consumption Coffee consumption
involving subjects collected according to the n n
inclusion and exclusion criteria to be determined as Normal High Normal High
research subjects. Inclusion criteria or
characteristics that need to be fulfilled by each F % F % F % F %

member of the population that can be taken as a P 8 57.14 6 42, 85 14 2 11.1 16 88.88 18
sample in this study, namely (1) Having arthritis,
(2) Not taking gout medicine; (3) Having the habit L
8 88.88 1 11.11 9 1 20 4 80 5
of drinking black coffee (Robusta) which is
dissolved in 3 cups of hot water per day; (4) V: Variable, L: Male, P: Female
Respondents aged between 45-54 years. Of the
population, 223 people met the inclusion criteria Based on Table I shows the results of the
frequency distribution of female uric acid levels
and taken 20% so that the number of samples in
this study was 46 samples. that consumed mostly normal coffee as many as
Uric Acid levels were analyzed by eight people (57.14%), and the frequency
spectrophotometer (Rayto®), The tools used in this distribution of male uric acid levels consumed
study were cuvette, blue and yellow tip, 1000 µL almost all normal coffee is eight people (88.88%).
and 20 µL micropipette, beaker glass (Pyrex®), red The results of the normality test analysis of data
obtained from 46 respondents using the
lid vacutainer tube, centrifuge, centrifuge tube,
tissue, 3 mL syringe, tourniquet, cotton, plaster, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests were
handscoon, mask. Sampling is done, namely (1) not normally distributed seen from p-value <0.05,
Tourniquet mounted on the patient's arm (3 fingers so no unpaired t-test was performed and an
above the elbow fold); (2) The patient's arm is unpaired alternative t-test, the test Mann-Whitney.
Table 2. shows the results there are differences
placed on the bearing; (3) The area of veins to be
removed is cleaned with 70% alcohol cotton; (4) 2 in uric acid levels between people who consumed
mL of venous blood is sucked using a syringe; (5) coffee and did not consume coffee in the East Rim
The venous blood is inserted into the red lid Health Center in 2018 (CI 95% 6.20, 7.80; p
vacutainer tube. The principle of checking uric acid =0.001).
levels is uric acid was oxidized by Uricase to TABLE II. DIFFERENCES IN URIC ACID LEVELS OF
become Allatoin and H2O2 in the presence of SUBJECTS WHO CONSUMED COFFEE AND
Peroxidase to produce chromogens colored DID NOT CONSUME COFFEE
measured with a wavelength of 500 nm which is
proportional to the level of uric acid in the sample. Median (Min-Max) p
Normal value of male uric acid 2.5-7.0 mg / dL,
Coffee consumption 6.20 (4-8)
female 1.5-6.0 mg / dL. Work procedures (1) Tools 0.001
and materials to be used are prepared; (2) Making No coffee consumption 7.80 (5-15)
serum from venous blood that has been taken is
centrifuge for 15 minutes at a speed of 3000 rpm;
(3) dilution of the working reagent was carried out IV. DISCUSSION
by mixing reagent 1: reagent 2 (4: 1); (4) Work Research on differences in levels uric acid
reagents are piped 1000 µL into 3 cuvettes; cuvette people who consume coffee and do not consume
1 (blank); kuvet 2 (standard); kuvet 3 (sample); (5) coffee in the Bengkulu City Lingkar Timur Health
Reagent 3 is piped 20 µL into kuvet 2 (standard);

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Center area was carried out on 23 respondents
consuming coffee and 23 not consuming coffee.
The method used spectrophotometry Rayto.
The results of this study indicate that coffee
can reduce uric acid levels in the blood through the
chlorogenic acid contained in it. Chlorogenic acid
has the effect of inhibiting the enzyme activity of
xanthine oxidase. The main content of coffee other
than caffeine is a compound of polyphenols, the
most polyphenol content in coffee is a chlorogenic
acid which has the effect of inhibiting the enzyme
xanthine oxidase thereby reducing serum uric acid
levels [5]. The content of chlorogenic acid in
coffee also has a diuretic effect that accelerates the
excretion of uric acid in the urine, thereby reducing
serum uric acid levels. Chlorogenic acid is one of
the potent antioxidants from phenolic compounds
capable of inhibiting the activity of the enzyme
xanthine oxidase to reduce serum uric acid levels
[6].
Consuming coffee can reduce the incidence of
various types of diseases including diabetes
mellitus, cardiovascular, cancer, and reduce levels
of uric acid because coffee contains polyphenol
compounds which are antioxidants around 200-550
mg of coffee. When the body consumes coffee with
the content of polyphenol compounds, the body
will get these antioxidants while still considering
the process of processing and serving coffee.
Coffee content (polyphenols) that has been
identified as an antioxidant is chlorogenic acid, a
compound that is formed during roasting.
Chlorogenic acid acts to inhibit the activity of
xanthine oxidase so that uric acid levels decrease.
Polyphenols (chlorogenic acid) are also diuretic, so
uric acid will dissolve and be wasted with urine [7].
Polyphenol (compound chlorogenic acid
coffee) can inhibit the action of enzymes xanthine
oxidase because the mechanism of inhibition is
likely due to the similarity of the chemical structure
of polyphenol compounds with derivatives xanthin
derived from caffeine degradation and the body's
metabolism. So that the biological activity of
polyphenols can inhibit xanthine oxidase, like the
way allopurinol works in reducing uric acid levels
by using the inhibitory pathway of the enzyme
xanthine oxidase [8].
The habit of consuming coffee can reduce the
risk of gout due to the inhibition of the enzyme
xanthine oxidase which is a catalyst for the change
of hypoxanthine to xanthine and from xanthin back
in the catalyst by the enzyme xanthine oxidase to
uric acid [2]. If the work of the enzyme xanthin
oxidase is inhibited, the formation of uric acid in
the body will decrease. The work inhibitory
mechanism of the enzyme is xanthine oxidase
almost the same as the work of blood uric acid-
lowering drugs (Allopurinol). One of the
ingredients in coffee is that caffeine a crystal-
shaped compound. The main constituents are
protein derivatives called xanthine purines. These
compounds in normal body conditions do have
some properties, among others, are analgesic drugs
that can reduce uric acid levels, reduce pain and
reduce fever [7]. Allopurinol is a chemical
structure analogous to hypoxanthine, allopurinol as
an analog substrate for the enzyme xanthine
oxidase. The function of allopurinol as an analog
substrate will occupy the active side of the enzyme
xanthine oxidase, which is usually occupied by
hypoxanthine. Allopurinol inhibits enzyme activity
irreversibly by reducing the formation of xanthine
oxidase which inhibits the formation of uric acid.
The workings of polyphenols (chlorogenic acid) in
a coffee can inhibit the formation of uric acid
similar to the way allopurinol works. Chlorogenic
acid which is one of the potent antioxidants from
phenolic compounds was able to inhibit xanthine
oxidase activity [8].
Whereas according to the results of the study.
Antioxidants will capture free radicals and prevent
chain reactions from free radicals. Uric acid is one
of the secondary antioxidants inside the body. It
means that at normal levels, uric acid will be able
to ward off free radicals that are in the body, but in
excessive amounts will harm the body. The coffee
content that has been identified as an antioxidant is
chlorogenic acid and is a significant contributor of
antioxidants [7]. That the intake of high intake of
coffee is not a risk factor with a decrease in uric
acid levels, this study refers to the results of a study
that showed that there was a decrease in uric acid
levels after treatment in the group that obtained it
coffee solution 0.72 mL/ day and 2.16 mL/ day.
Phenol compounds have biological activities as
potent antioxidants in vitro so they can protect
DNA, lipids, and proteins by fighting damaging
free radicals in vivo, to reduce the risk the
occurrence of chronic diseases. Polyphenol
compounds are also diuretics, so uric acid will
dissolve and be wasted with urine [10].
Coffee is one drink that is very popular with
the people of Indonesia and in other countries in
the world. Studies that examine the effects of
coffee consumption on a variety of certain medical
conditions. The positive effects of consuming
coffee include reducing the risk of Alzheimer's
disease, Parkinson's, type 2 diabetes mellitus, liver
cirrhosis, and reducing blood uric acid. The results
of a study in Japan showed that drinkers of 3
glasses or more coffee per day had lower uric acid
levels compared to drinkers of 1 cup or less coffee
per day. Research in Canada shows that uric acid
levels decrease with increasing consumption of
robusta black coffee every day. Based on previous
research, uric acid levels of mice with high doses
of coffee decreased when compared with the group
with low doses of coffee [5]. Taxonomically,
coffee includes the Rubiaceae family, genus coffee.
There are two species, namely Coffea arabica
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(arabica) and Coffea canephora (robusta). Coffee is Menggunakan Spektrofotometri Uv-Vis. Universitas
Tanjungpura, 5(2), 838–841.
an alternative beverage choice that is very popular
with Indonesian and other countries. The hobby of
consuming coffee has been done for generations
since the days of our ancestors, even in every
banquet of both formal and non-formal events,
coffee offers are rarely forgotten.
In some studies, coffee can reduce uric acid
levels in the blood. The glucose concentration in
plasma will decrease by the presence of
chlorogenic acid in coffee. One of the ingredients
in coffee, caffeine, is a crystalline compound. The
main constituent is a protein derivative called
purine xanthine. These compounds in normal body
conditions do have several benefits, including
analgesic drugs that can reduce uric acid levels,
reduce pain and reduce fever [10]. Coffee is one of
the results of plantation commodities that have high
economic value among other plantation crops and
play an essential role as a source of foreign
exchange. Some of the compounds in coffee are
polyphenols (chlorogenic acid) and caffeine. These
compounds in normal body conditions do have
some properties, including analgesic drugs that can
reduce pain and reduce fever [11].

V. CONCLUSION

From the results of this study concluded that

uric acid levels of people who consume coffee are
lower than those who do not consume coffee.

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